How is our ministry in Playas

August 6th, 2026

It has already been 8 months since we began serving at the church in Playas, and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy, not because the church was super demanding or because people were mean, but because the problems are more spiritual than physical.

The physical labor in the church is simple; you could even say it has become routine. We have become accustomed to the rhythm, the way of doing things, and even our new roles. LeAnn is the head of children’s ministry, and Christian leads the youth group, though he often ends up giving classes in children’s ministry as well.

All of this has been great. The youth group, if the youth come, is not necessarily growing in numbers, but it is growing in relationships. What I mean by that is that we are creating a relationship between leaders and teens. Each week they open up a little more, sharing their doubts and insecurities. Seeing them build friendships among themselves is also a great blessing.

After hearing the comments they have made, we look forward to changing the youth group from Wednesday to Sunday during the first service, which is when everyone will be able to make it.

As far as children’s ministry goes, several people had to step down recently and discontinue serving due to different life circumstances, but God is bringing more workers. Also, God put it on LeAnn’s heart to lead trainings for those who teach and those who help in the kids’ classes to better explain the new curriculum. LeAnn used this same curriculum when she served with CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) as a teenager.

I (Christian) have been pushed out of my comfort zone due to the lack of translators in the men’s group. I have started translating from Spanish into English and, praise the Lord, I have actually enjoyed it and continue learning and getting better at English. Only God knows why He has me practicing my English so much… (and sometimes it kind of scares me. 😁)

But have you ever thought, “Am I really doing enough?” Sometimes I start to feel like I’m not a real missionary. I think that a missionary is one who risks his life for the gospel. A missionary is someone who takes the gospel where it has never gone before. Isn’t that what we all think of when we think of missionaries? Missionaries like William Carey, Hudson Taylor, Jim and Elizabeth Elliot, Amy Carmichael, and many other men and women will one day have a great reward in heaven.

But then remember our Lord Jesus Christ, who did local ministry in his country of origin, close to the place he grew up. Also, ministry is not about us or our feelings. It’s about taking the gospel to others, and not just that, but Jesus commanded us to make disciples, not just believers.

At a missions conference, speaking with a missionary who serves in the Himalayas and whose ministry consists of rescuing women from human trafficking, the missionary commented that sometimes he felt that what he was doing was not enough. I started to meditate on this, and while yes, this line of thinking can come from a place of reverence and love for our Father, we can also fall into a sense of pride in what we do, and it is good to check ourselves prayerfully and make sure we are aligned with the will of God.

And I would like to finish the LOOOOOOOONG update encouraging you and exhorting you to go out and make disciples, be it in your church, neighborhood, job, or school. God has placed you in the country you are in to be light and salt. So do not get discouraged; the fruit awaits. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Thank you for your support through both prayer and finances. (Philippians 4:17)